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Predicting Brain Tumor Survival with DNA

Research is underway at The James to understand the molecular landscape for brain tumor patients—particularly which markers predict patient survival outcomes as well as responses to specific therapies.

In this study, experts are looking at MGMT, a gene known as a DNA repair protein. The study was the first of its kind to look at survival outcomes with MGMT and why it’s important for certain brain tumors. It also marked the first time that MGMT promoter methylation—how the protein “reads”—was significantly associated with survival in certain brain tumor patients.

This kind of precision medicine enables researchers to gather, study and use information to best inform clinical decision-making and treatments.